World Congress Closes

July 30, 2004 -- More than 650 participants from 12 countries convened in Quebec City, Canada, last week for the 7th World Sheep & Wool Congress. The event afforded an opportunity for international allies to learn about their global counterparts? successes and challenges.

The week-long event featured activities ranging from conferences, workshops, exhibits and shows and sales to industry tours -- all geared toward the world?s sheep industry. Marketing quality products; combining productivity and profitability; managing nutrition and the environment; and genetics, health and reproduction, were just a few of the topics presented.

American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) President, Guy Flora, presented the ?Portrait of the International Ovine Industry? during the opening session of the Congress.

?It was exciting to see such a large delegation of producers and industry affiliates from the United States participating in this world event,? stated Flora. ?There was also valuable dialogue amongst the North American delegates concerning the various situations at the two borders.?

ASI Secretary/Treasurer Burdell Johnson, added, ?Quebec was an excellent host for this international event. We really appreciate the involvement of the U.S. breed associations that supplied literature for the ASI booth, as well as the efforts of those individuals who stayed in the booth to speak with visitors.?

ASI Research and Education Council Chair, David Greene, said of the event, ?It was beneficial to hear comments from other parts of the world on topics such as BSE and scrapie. Other countries are starting to put together scrapie eradication programs similar to the one U.S. producers have been executing since 2001.?

The Congress occurs every three years.

A vast delegation from Mexico arrived in Quebec prepared to have their bid for the next congress accepted ? and it was. The 8th World Sheep & Wool Congress will be held in Queretaro, Mexico, in 2007.

ASI was a Silver Level Sponsor of the 7th World Sheep & Wool Congress.

Staff contact: Judy Malone, ext. 35

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